However, Prashant Rahi, a co-accused in the Maoist-related case, gets bail

A Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court on Monday rejected the bail plea of Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba in a Maoist-related case, but granted bail to former journalist and human rights activist Prashant Rahi, a co-accused in the same case.

Prof. Saibaba was arrested by Gadchiroli police from Delhi in May this year for his alleged Maoist links and was charged under Sections 13, 18, 20, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

“Prof. Saibaba was the joint secretary of the Revolutionary Democratic Front, which is a frontal organisation of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist),” said a press statement issued by Gadchiroli District Superintendent of Police.

“The court observed that Saibaba seems to be involved in the Maoist movement and rejected his bail plea,” it said.

However, Advocate Surendra Gadling, who represented Prof. Saibaba, said he would appeal in the Supreme Court for the professor who suffers from 90 per cent physical disability.

Regarding Rahi’s case, his advocate Gadling said: “The prosecution side said police recovered some ‘Maoist documents’ from Rahi, but could not specify the exact documents. The court granted bail doubting the police claims.”